Electric-switch mechanism



R. B. BENJAMIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. I8. 1918.

1,394,397. Patented Oct. 18, 1921.

I I I@ j L lllllllllfm y,

R. B. BENJAMIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. I8, 1918.

1,394,397, Patented CGC. 18, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

CJI

.UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN. OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO BENJAMIN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORIORATION 0F ILLI- NOIS.

. ELECTRIC-SWITCH MECHANISM.

1,39439 Specification of Letters Patent. Pai-@nfd Oei. 1S, 1921.

Application led November 18, 1918.

T 0 all @UIL-0m t may concern.:

Be it known that I. Riemann B` BENJAMIN, a'citizen of the United States, residingat Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electric-Switch Mecha-- nisrn, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description. reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an electric switch mechanism and, more particularly, to an electric switch mechanism which is automatically operated by the action of a door, window, or the like.

The obj ect. of this invention is to generally improve the construction of switch-operating mechanism of this type, and resides essentially in the production of improved means which will prevent injury to the switch mechanism due to any improper operation or adjustment of the switch-operating mechanism; and, further, in an improved means for adjusting the switch-operating meV hanism.

Another object of the invention resides in an improved switch mechanism in which the switch -cOntrOlling appliances, or switch proper, together with the switch-operating mechanism, are all united in a self-,contained unit.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying illustrations, and the appended claims.

For the purpose of illustration, the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 illustrates the improved switch mechanism in position with respect to a door; the view being taken on the plane represented by the line 1-1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the switch mechanism shown in Fig. 1 and illustrates the position that the switch takes with respect to the operating door or other moving element;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the plane represented by the line 3--3 of Fig 2. and illustrates the preferred form of switch used;

Fig. 4 'is a detail of the switch taken on the Serial No. 263,073.

plane represented by the line -1-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an alternative form of switchoperating mechanism and illustrates this switch mechanism in position with respect to the door, theI illustration being a plan view taken on the plane represented by the line 5 5 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation partly in section of the same mechanism, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. '7 is a detail sectional view of the automatically adjustable spring operating stop.

As illustrated in Figsv 1 to 1, the switch proper or circuit-controlling mechanism is inclosed in a housing 8 which is secured to a. stationary door frame, window frame, or the like 9. by means of screws, such as 10 and 11. Connected to one side of the housing 8 is a conduit 12, by means of which the circuit-controlling conductors are admitted to the switch proper inclosed within the housing 8. Mounted on the base of the housing S is an inclosing top or cover 13, which is secured to the base of the housing by means of the threads 1l illustrated in Fig. 3. Obviously, any suitable means for for attaching the cap 13 to the base could be utilized. The cap 13 is centrally apertured, said aperture carrying a threaded nipple 20, in which is loosely fitted a pin or rod 21 adapted for a reciprocating motion within the nipple 20. Below the nipple Q0 is preferably placed suitable packing gland or gasket, such as 22, which serves to make the opening' through which the pin 21 reciprocates Waterproof, and thereby incloses the circuit-controlling mechanism or switch proper within the housing 8 in a waterproof chamber.

The pin 21 carries at its lower end a fiat plate or disk 23, which is continually held in contact. with the button Qf/l of the circuitcontrolling switch. Since the only opening into the housing 8 which contains the circuitcontrolling mechanism or switch is rendered waterproof by means of a gasket 22, this mechanism is impervious to the effect of moisture. Switches constructed in this manner are especially useful on board ship or in any climate in which the mechanism would be subject to the attacks of moisture;

the advantages of this structure and a more detailed description thereot| having been given in my copending application.

The circuit-controlling switch-operating mechanism is mounted on the insulating base 25, on which is secured the mounting bracket 26, said bracket 26 being apertured to receive the sliding bar 2T. This bar QTcarries at its upper end the operating button 2i, and fitted between the operating button 2i and the bracket 26 is a spiral spring 28. This spiral spring 2S is normally under compression and serves to maintain the button in contact with the disk Pivo-tally secured to pins or lugs 30 `formed integral with the vertical member 31 of the bracket 26 is the movable bracket or arm 32 of the switch mechanism. The front face of the bracket 32 is apertured to receive a pin 38, which is inclosed in a spiral spring 34 normally held in compression between the forward tace of the bracket 32 and the rear end ci' the pin 34, which is pivotally attached to the sliding rod 27. Y

Mounted in the tron-t end of the insulating blockr25, as clearly illustrated in Fig. et, are the contact terminals 37 and 38, to which are secured the upwardly-extending contact blades 39 and 40. The bracket is arranged to move up .and down under the action of the spring 34; and its associated clements, so that the side arms of the bracket 32 will make Contact with the blades 39 and 40 and thereby close the circuit.

To operate the switch mechanism the button 2st is depressed against the compressive force oit the spiral spring 2,8, thereby moving the rod 27 downwardly. in this movement the rear end of the pin 33 is carried downwardly with the rod 2.7, the pin being pushed forward through the front aperture in the bracket against the compressive torce of the springel until the pin 33 attains substantially horizontal position, at which time the energyT in the compressed spring willY be eXtertcd to draw the bracket 32'upwardly,.thereby snapping the bracket into 'position between the contacts 39 and i0 and thus closing the circuit.

4llfhen the compression on the operating button 24 is removed, the spiral spring28 will return the moving parts oi' the switch mechanism to normal position, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Y Y 'ln order that the circuit-controlling switch mechanism hereinbefore described may be operated automatically by the action oi.i a

v door or window, a switch-operating mechanism suchas illustrated in Figs. l and 2 is provided. As. clearly illustrated in these figures, this mechanism is attached to the housing 8. Thus, dependingi'rom one c rner or" the housing are the ears il and e2, between which is pivotally secured by means of a pin 4-3 a bell-crank or rocker arm' lle.

rihe upper end of the bell-crank carries a ilat disk 4:5, which is adapted to move in the path ot the operating pin 2l. The lower end ot the bell-crank del terminates in two perforated arms 4G and 4:7, which are adapted to receive the threaded operating pin 48. rl`he threaded operating pin 48 l.carries between thev arms l@ and el? the nuts 49 and 50 and the spiral spring 5l. rhe ro'd -t8 is threaded to permit ot adjustment ot the po-v sition oin said rod on the .arms and il?, the length saidV 'rod d8 extending' fronifthe arm '-126 determining, together with thel compression springl, the amount of movement which will be given to the bell-crank if-i by the operating door The position ot' the nut 49' determines the length of the rod 4S which extends from the arm d6, and the nut A50 is utilized to determine the compression ot the spiral spring` 5l; the rod 48 being loosely itted in the arms -fl-.G and Secured to the door 52 is a friction-plate 53 of lany suitable character, preferably a steel or brass plate,.which the end ot' the `operating rod Li8 strikes. K

rlhe tollowin` description of the operation ot the mechanism will now be apparent Y trom the preceding detailed description. Then the door 52 is closed the friction-plate will ride against the end of the pin 48 which will cause said pin to slide through the perfor-.ations in the arms 46 and 4J, causing the nut Ogto press against the spiral. sprimgv 51, said pressure being applied through the spring '5l to the arm el?. The pressure applied to the arm -l'l' will be eX- crted on the bell-crank eti, which will turn about its pivot i3 to cause the plate 45 to ride against the operating pin 2l of the circuit-controlling switel. rthe movement ot the disk 45 comprises a compound movement, the downwardv component of said movement acting upon the circuit-controlling operating mechanism situated in the.

housing S tojoperate it, las hereinbeiore described, and thereby close the circuit ot the switch'mechanism. The'fpin 48 through the nut 50 will compress the spring 5l. until the compressive torce of said spring will be sutiicientlyV great` to operate the circuit-controlling mechanism inclosed within the housing 8. It for any reason this adjustment becomes disturbed or the movement of the door 52 is slightly altered, injury to the ,circuit-'controlling switch inclosed within the description .that whenever the door 52 is closed the circuit-controlling mechanism in the housing 8 will be automatically operated to close the circuit by means of the bellcrank da and its associated mechanism. Likewise, when the door is opened, the mechanism will be .automatically restored to normal and the circuit opened.

lt will also be apparent that ir, 'for any reason, the switch-operating mechanism is out of adjustment, the delicate parts of the ircuit-controlling switch inclosed within the housing S will not be injured, because of the resilient shock-absorber or buffer interposed between the primary mover 4S of the switchoperating mechanism and the bell-crank ed which operates directly on the operating mechanism of the circuit-controlling switch.

Attention is now directed to the alternative form illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, and 7. ln this form the circuit-controlling switch is contained within the housing 60, said housing being itted with an opening to receive the conduit 61, through which the circuit conductors for controlling the circuit .are led to the circuit-controlling apparatus within the housing 60. The circuit-controlling switch inclosed within the housing 60 is preferably of a type identically the same as that shown in nig. 3. The housing G0 is secured to a bracket 62 by means of a bolt 63, the bracket 69. beine` secured to the doorframe 64 by means of screws 65. T he switch-inclosing housing 60 is fitted with a cap G6, which is screw-threaded at 67 to the housing 60. lnterposed between the housing 60 and the cap 66 and rigidly secured therebetween.l because of the action between ari-annular rim G8 and the cap 67, is a flexible diaphragm 69 composed of a waterproof material, preferably pig skin.

The operating button 70 of the circuitcontrolling switch inclosed within the housing 60 is mounted underneath the diaphragm 69, and the operating spring 71 of the switch mechanism serves to force this button to its normal position, as hereinbefore'described in connection with Fig. 3; the spring 7l being sufhciently strong to distort or extend the diaphragm 69 so that the button can be forced to its normal position under the influence or' the spring 7l. The cap 66 is centrally perforated. and in this perforation is slidably fitted a cylindrical switch-operating member or nipple 72, which is fitted with a flange 73 at its lower extremity, to prevent the nipple from falling` out 'of the cap 66. The flange 73 also serves to hold the base 7st of the cylindrical member in position. The base 7d acts on the button 70 to operate the switch.

Inclo-:ed within the cylindrical member is a second cylindrical telescopic member fitted with an annular flange at '75, said flange serving to limit the upper movement of the telescopic member 7 5. A spiral spring 77 is interposed between the base 74 of the cylindrical member 72 and the upper wall 78 of the telescopic member 75, said spring 77 serving to spread apar to their farthest position the cylindrical member 72 and the telescopic member 75. The upper wall 7 8 of the telescopic member 75 is screw-threaded to receive a bolt 79, said bolt being adjustable vertically in the telescopic member and serving to determine the movement of said telescopic member by the length of the bolt which extends beyond the wall 78. A lock-nut 8O is fitted on the bolt 79 for permanently securing said bolt in position after it has been adjusted,

The housing 60 and its associated mechanism is so positioned on the door-frame Gd that the end of the bolt 69 will contact with a friction-plate 81 secured to the door S2 when said door is moved into its closed position.

The operation of the switch-controlling mechanism will now be briefly described as follows: When the door 82 is moved to its closed position, the friction-plate 81 moves into contact with the end of the bolt 7 9, and, as the door continues to move, a similar movement will be acquired by the bolt 79 due to said contact. The bolt 79 will carry with it the telescopic member 75, which will be telescoped in the cylindrical member 72 against the action of the spring` 77' until the compressive force of the spring` is such as to overcome the action of the circuit-controlling apparatus contained within the housing 60. When this degree of compression is acquired bythe spring 77, movement will be transferred to the operating button 70 of the circuit-controlling mechanism through the diaphragm (39, and this move-ment will continue until the switch is operated upon the complete closure of the door 82. The spring 77 is so designed that compression thereon will continue to the full extent ot the telescopic movement ot the members 72 and 75, before any force is exerted through these members to the operating button 70 of the circuit-controlling` apparatus which will injure any of the delicate parts of the circuitcontrolling switch. The spring' 77 and the associated cylindrical member 72 and telescopic member 75 consequently act as a resilient buffer between the switch-operating mechanism and the circuit-controlling switch proper, thereby preventing injury to said switch through any slight improper adjustments of the switch-operating mechanism. Rough adjustment for controlling the movement orp the switch-operating button 70 are obviously obtained by vertical adjustment of the bolt 7 9 in the telescoping member 7 Switch-operating mechanisms constructed.

in accordance with the invention herein disclosed are useful forY many purposes, but

are especially useful when it is desired to make the operation of the switch automatic upon the doing of some other act. Thus, the particular type of switch herein inclosed may be used in any and all instances when it is desired to automatically open the circuit either to extinguish lights or to discontinue theoperation of any other electrical apparatus when a door, window, or the lilre is moved tothe open position. Obviously the switch contact may be readily changed so as to reverse this operation'and close the circuit when the door or window is opened.

Switches of the preferred type as herein shown, in which the circuit is closed when the door oi' window is closed, are especially useful on shipboard for the protection of the boat against attack by submarines. TEor this purpose, it is desired to keep the ex terioi' appearance of the boat in absolute darkness, while at the same time it is necessary to light certain portions of the interior of the boat so that the necessary activity on the boat will not be interfered with. Under these circumstances, certain lamps on the boat may be readily turned on, the lamps being under the control of switches operated by the covers of portholes through which the light emanating from the lamps controlled by the switches under the control of said portholes are visible from the outside. Under these circumstances it naturally follows -that when any of these4 portholes are Yopened the circuit including these lamps will be oaened and the lights eX- tinguished, thus insuring a Vdarkened appearance for the exterior of the ship, notwithstanding the fact that lights are used on the interior; this control being purely automatic because of the control of the lighting circuit by the movement of the porthole covers.

Obviously, this invention is not limited to the specific and preferred embodiment thereof herein illustrated and described, but is capableV of many variations and other applications which come within the spirit of the invention as set fort:l in the following claims.

i l claim as new and desire to secure by Y Letters Patent of the United States:

Vl. A; device of the character described comprising, in combina-tion, a circuit-controlling switch, a casing for said switch, an

resilient buffer to actuate the said plunger'V to operate said circuit-controlling switch. 3. in a device of the character described, in combina-tion, a circuit-controlling switch, a casing for said switch, an operating plunger for said switch, said casing having an opening through which said switch can be inserted and removed with respect to said casing, a readily removable cap for closing said opening, said cap having an opening therethrough, a reciprocating plunger acting through the opening in said cap to actuate said first plunger, and resilient buffer interposed between said plungers.V

4. i self-contained switch-operating mechanism including in combination a casing. a circuitecontrolling switch mounted in said casing, said casing having an opening through which said switch can be inserted and removed with respect to the casing, a readily removable cap for closing said opening, said cap having an opening therein, an operating plunger for said switch, a second plunger' mountedin said cap and operating through the opening in said cap, and a resilient buffer interposed between-said plungers.V Y

-5. A self-contained switch mechanism containing, in combination, a casing; a switch mounted within said casing; an op-` erating plunger for said switch; a cap for said casing; Va waterproong diaphragm interposed between said cap and said casing to completely inclose said switch mechaiiism and its associated plunger; a second operating plunger; and a resilient kbuifer actuated by said plunger to operate-'said iirstl plunger through said waterproofing diaphragm to actuate said switch. Y

6. ln l a self-contained switch-operating mechanism, in combination, a casing; a switch located within said casing; an operating plunger for said switch;a cap for said casing; means to inclose said switchrin a waterproof inclosure; a second operating plunger; a resilient buffer actuated by said plunger, said resilient buffer acting upon said first plunger to actuate said switch,

7. A. self contained switch -operating mechanism comprising, in combination, a circuit-controlling switch; a casing forinclosing said switch; an operating plunger for said switch; a cap for said casing, said cap being centrally apertured; a reciproeating plunger mounted in said aperture; a

ciprocating plunger; means to inclose said switch in a waterprooi` inclosure, the said telescoping means acting through said resilient means on said reciprocating plunger through the waterproofing inclosure oi the operating plunger of the switch to operate the same.

8. A self contained switchoperating mechanism comprising, in combination, a casing, a circuit-controlling switch mounted in said casing, said casing having an opening through which said switch can be inserted and removed with respect to said casing, a readily removable cap for closing said opening, an operating plunger lfor said switch, a second plunger mounted in said cap, a resilient buiier interposed between said plungers, said second plunger acting through said resilient means to actuate said iirst plunger to operate said switch mechanism, and adjustable means operable to determine the amount ci: movement initially transmitted to said second plunger.

9. A switch construction comprising a switch mechanism, a casing for said switch mechanism, said casing having an opening through which said switch mechanism can be inserted and removed with respect to the casing, a readily removable cap tor closing said opening, said switch mechanism comprising a plunger inclosed by said casing and cap, said cap having an opening there- 1n, a second plunger operating through the opening oi said cap on said first plunger, and yielding means, interposed between said plungers.

Si switch construction comprising a switch mechanism, a casing for said switch nichanism, said casing having an opening tl'irough which said switch mechanism can he inserted and removed with respect to the casing` a readil;v removable cap for closing said opening, said switch mechanism comprising a plunger inclosed by said casing and cap, said cap having an opening therein, a second plunger operating through the opening et said cap on said First plunger, and adjustable means Jfor varying the elect oi said second plunger on said first plunger.

1l. A switch construction comprising a switch-mechanism, a. casing for said switch mechanism, said casing having an opening through which said switch mechanism can be inserted and removed with respect to said casing, a readily removable cap for closing said opening, said switch mechanism comprising ay plunger inclosed by said casing and cap, said cap having an opening therein, a second plunge operating through the opening in said cap, yieldable means interposed between said plunger, and adjustable neans for varying the effect of said first plunger on said second plunger.

ln witness whereof, l have hereunto subscribed my name.

REUBEN B. BENJABHN. 

